Firefighters gathered in Stroud last week for an evening designed to help them learn more about dementia.

Wholetime Watch, Stroud on call and Nailsworth on call firefighters headed to Stroud Fire Station for an event organised by the Alzheimer's Society to raise their awareness of dementia - including by playing a bingo game to test and improve their knowledge.

Key messages given to the firefighters included: dementia is not a natural part of ageing, that it is caused by diseases of the brain, and that dementia is not just about losing your memory – it can effect thinking, communicating and doing everyday tasks.

The firefighters also learnt that it is possible to live well with dementia and that there is more to a person than the disease.

At the end of the session participants were encouraged to think of something they would do to help when dealing with people with dementia.

Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service has an on call, part time watch manager, Roger Picket from Coleford Station, who works as a dementia champion within the community as his day job.